29th May 2023

Types of stem cell transplant

Autologous stem cell transplant

The patient’s own stem cells are harvested (usually during a period of remission) and then returned to the patient after conditioning chemotherapy. The principle for this is to allow higher doses of chemotherapy to be given that would normally risk permanent bone marrow suppression. As the stem cells returned are the patient’s own, there is no risk of Graft Versus Host Disease. This procedure carries a mortality of 1-2%.

Allogeneic stem cell transplant

Stem cells are harvested from either a matched sibling donor or an unrelated but matched donor. They are then infused into the patient after conditioning chemotherapy. This both allows for high dose chemotherapy to be given but also can lead to a Graft Versus Leukaemia effect which is believed to reduce the risk of recurrence of the disease. There is also the possibility for Graft Versus Host Disease. The mortality is higher for this procedure, in the region of 10-20%.